Ship sinking off East London
2005-06-07 14:48
East London - A bulk carrier ship carrying a consignment of logs from West Africa was sinking off the coast of East London on Tuesday afternoon, said port authorities.
The National Port Authority's East London spokesperson Terry Taylor said they had received a call on Tuesday that the 180m vessel was taking on water in her engine room.
The 25 crew members were in no danger at this stage.
The Kiperousa was anchored two nautical miles (about 3.5km ) offshore in the Bira area close to Hamburg.
Taylor said it was not clear what had happened, but a vessel had been sent to assess the damage and make recommendations.
The port of East London would shortly send a tug to the vessel and would await further instructions as to what should be done.
Taylor said that a helicopter was on standby should the situation change and the crew's lives be put in any immediate danger.
- SAPA